Environment Canada attempted to set the record straight on what many Canadians online are calling "climate cops."."We are aware of some misleading reports on social media suggesting that we are creating a new enforcement function. This is false and the record needs to be set straight," Environment Canada (EC) said on Twitter on Thursday.."They are not climate change Enforcement officers.".EC was referring to an Indeed job posting for 'enforcement officers' with Environment and Climate Change Canada. The job description claims the officers will "enforce the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act," and may be required to wear uniforms and carry officer safety equipment..On Sunday, United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidate Danielle Smith's claimed the federal government is hiring "climate cops.".READ MORE: CTV News attacks Danielle Smith's 'climate cops' claim .According to EC, its enforcement branch was officially formed in 2008, and its officers ensure federal environmental legislation is followed in order to prevent pollution and protect Canada’s wildlife.."Our Environmental Officers spend most of their time enforcing legislation and regulations that prevent pollution such as the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act," they said..EC stressed that the enforcement officers and "not climate change enforcement officers," adding that the department regularly recruits new officers to maintain its existing workforce..However, EC then went on to say that the officers are "designated peace officers under the Environment and Climate Change Canada legislation and the Criminal Code." It did not explain how, exactly, an officer enforcing climate change legislation is different from a climate change enforcement officer..EC also addressed recently leaked floor plans for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Canada's new facility in Winnipeg, which will house a firearms armoury, interrogation rooms, biological labs, intelligence facilities, and “controlled quiet rooms.”."We are also in the process of moving. Our officers and other employees are moving from the current Winnipeg office to another location," EC confirmed. "The floor plans shared on social media are real, but the way the facility is being described is completely false." The Counter Signal, which first broke the story of the facility, said it opens "a window into Trudeau’s future plans for Climate Enforcement.""If you emit too much carbon or use too much fertilizer, you may just be on the Climate Communists’ hit list," journalist Keean Bexte said, referencing the Liberal government's plans to reduce fertilizer consumption in Canada by 30% by 2030.EC did not elaborate on what, exactly, is "false" about the article."Our enforcement officers are professional, dedicated, and highly-trained, and we are proud of the work they do each day to protect Canada’s environment, wildlife and habitats," they said.EC's statement came just one day after Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said Smith's claims the federal government hired "climate cops" is false."Responsible leadership should deal in facts, not conspiracy theories," he said.READ MORE: Guilbeault says Smith's claims about ‘climate cops’ are a ‘conspiracy theory’
Environment Canada attempted to set the record straight on what many Canadians online are calling "climate cops."."We are aware of some misleading reports on social media suggesting that we are creating a new enforcement function. This is false and the record needs to be set straight," Environment Canada (EC) said on Twitter on Thursday.."They are not climate change Enforcement officers.".EC was referring to an Indeed job posting for 'enforcement officers' with Environment and Climate Change Canada. The job description claims the officers will "enforce the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act," and may be required to wear uniforms and carry officer safety equipment..On Sunday, United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidate Danielle Smith's claimed the federal government is hiring "climate cops.".READ MORE: CTV News attacks Danielle Smith's 'climate cops' claim .According to EC, its enforcement branch was officially formed in 2008, and its officers ensure federal environmental legislation is followed in order to prevent pollution and protect Canada’s wildlife.."Our Environmental Officers spend most of their time enforcing legislation and regulations that prevent pollution such as the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act," they said..EC stressed that the enforcement officers and "not climate change enforcement officers," adding that the department regularly recruits new officers to maintain its existing workforce..However, EC then went on to say that the officers are "designated peace officers under the Environment and Climate Change Canada legislation and the Criminal Code." It did not explain how, exactly, an officer enforcing climate change legislation is different from a climate change enforcement officer..EC also addressed recently leaked floor plans for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Canada's new facility in Winnipeg, which will house a firearms armoury, interrogation rooms, biological labs, intelligence facilities, and “controlled quiet rooms.”."We are also in the process of moving. Our officers and other employees are moving from the current Winnipeg office to another location," EC confirmed. "The floor plans shared on social media are real, but the way the facility is being described is completely false." The Counter Signal, which first broke the story of the facility, said it opens "a window into Trudeau’s future plans for Climate Enforcement.""If you emit too much carbon or use too much fertilizer, you may just be on the Climate Communists’ hit list," journalist Keean Bexte said, referencing the Liberal government's plans to reduce fertilizer consumption in Canada by 30% by 2030.EC did not elaborate on what, exactly, is "false" about the article."Our enforcement officers are professional, dedicated, and highly-trained, and we are proud of the work they do each day to protect Canada’s environment, wildlife and habitats," they said.EC's statement came just one day after Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said Smith's claims the federal government hired "climate cops" is false."Responsible leadership should deal in facts, not conspiracy theories," he said.READ MORE: Guilbeault says Smith's claims about ‘climate cops’ are a ‘conspiracy theory’
